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New greenery coming downtown

Trees damaged by ash borer finally getting the axe

Downtown trees

The Silva cell seen here is a system that will help trees in downtown Oshawa to grow and last longer. The modular suspended pavement system provides soil for the trees and treats storm water to support three growth.

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

The unsightly stumps of trees destroyed by the emerald ash borer infestation downtown will soon be completely gone from the city’s core.

Around 100 trees were honed down to nothing but a stump in the spring of 2014. The stumps were left as a public safety measure, says a press release from the city.

Now, the city is in the process of removing these stumps and replacing them with new planting beds and trees. The process will start along King Street from Oshawa Creek to Mary, which will be the main route for visitors for the Pan Am Games in July.

“The BIA is happy about that,” says Counillor Doug Sanders of the tree removal. “I think it will improve the downtown core with a new tree canopy and the trees will last longer also,” he says.

This is due to the technology the city is installing, known as a silva cell.

The suspended pavement system delivers support for tree growth and treats storm water as a way to improve growing conditions for the trees.

In September, work will continue with trees along Simcoe Street from Memorial Park to William Street.

Additional tree planting in the downtown will continue as funding permits, the release states.

Council set aside approximately $153,000 in last year’s budget for the project, along with additional funds in this year’s budget.

A number of trees will not be replaced due to various obstructions, but the stumps will be removed and the ground restored in the spring of 2016.

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